Ultrastructural studies of some character of Diptera (Muscidae) of forensically importance

Abstract

Insects are important in the decomposition of cadavers. In the field of forensic entomology, the taxonomic identification is essential to proceed to any procedure. The use of these insects in medico criminal investigation is the object of forensic entomological studies; the flies are generally attracted to cadavers and one of the most important contributions is to estimate the postmortem interval. The scanning electron microscopy, which allows rapid and accurate identification of character could be used to help identify different species of forensics flies, has been highlighted as it allows better visualization of the external morphology of immature and some adults. The aim of this study was to describe the katepisternals in females of Morellia humeralis and Biopyrellia bipuncta; the ommatidia of the compounds eyes of the male of B. bipuncta; the antennae of females of Ophyra aenescens and Ophyra albuquerquei and the ocellar triangle of the last two species and O. chalcogaster examined by scanning electron microscopy to help increase the anatomical database on flies for forensic importance. The katepisternals of M. humeralis and B. bipuncta were densely covered by different groups of sensilla. The surface of the ocellar region of O. aenescens was not covered by sensilla, but in O. albuquerquei and O. chalcogaster were densely covered by different types of sensilla. The coeloconic sensilla were only found in the flagellum of O. albuquerquei.

Ultrastructure of sensilla on antennae and maxillary palps in three Mesembrinellidae species

“…Stoffolano et al [17] examined the abdominal tergites of Tabanus nigrovittatus Mcquart, 1847 in both genders and observed small pits on them, which may have a sensorial function, according to authors; Sukontason et al [18] studied the antennal sensilla of flies of the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae and they observed that the sensilla in all species are similar and suggested that each type had a function; Sukontason et al [19] described the ultrastructure of the adhesive device in fly in families Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae showing the smooth surface; Sukontason et al [20] observed different types of sensilla in the antennal and palp of Ophyra chalcogaster (Wiedemann, 1824), trichoidea sensilla, chaetic sensilla and microtrichia, for instance; Chaiwong et al [4] described the male genitalia of Sarcophaga dux and observed sensilla on the surface of postgonite, surstylus, epandrium and cerci; Setzu et al [16] observed on the first flagellomere surface of Protophormia terraenovae Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 five types of sensilla: microtrichia, trichchoidea, basiconic, coeloconic and ariculate; Zhang et al [26] described four major types of surface sensilla: trichchoidea, basiconic, clavate and coeloconic on the first flagellomere of Fannia scalaris (Fabricius, The present study is the first describing the morphology of the different parts of the antennae and maxillary palp by SEM of both sexes of M. bellardiana and M. bicolor and male of M. semihyalina. The morphology of the three antennal segments of the Mesembrinella species on this study is generally similar to those found in other calyptrate flies [2,15,16,18,20,26,27]. Sensory organs are distributed all over the body surface of the flies [2,21].…”

“…For instance, such as: Ameismeier [1] described the chemosensitive basiconic on antennae of adults and embryonic stages of Locusta migratoria Linnaeus, 1758 (Orthoptera); Lopes et al [9] found two types of basiconic sensilla on antennae of Phoracantha semipunctata (Fabricius, 1755) (Coleoptera); Sukontason et al [18] studied the antennal sensilla of the families Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae (Diptera), and they observed that the sensilla types were morphologically similar; Nascimento et al [13] who described, the antennae sensillas of Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera) collected from different altitudes, reveling the differences of trichoidea sensilla on them. Many researchers have studied the ultrastructure in adults flies to help increase the anatomical database on flies: Zhang et al [26]; Zhang et al [27]; Carriço et al [2]; Pezzi et al [15]; Carriço et al [3].…”

Molecular Era of the Forensic Science

“…This behavior makes them indispensable for theatanological use in the investigation forensic, precisely because of the essential functions of each taxonomic character. Microscopy appears as a special tool for such analyzes (Carriço et al, 2014). Carriço et al (2014) selected six species of Diptera from the Muscidae Family and described the katepisternals in the females of Morellia humeralis and Biopyrellia bipuncta; ommatidia of the eyes composed of B. bipuncta male; the female antennae of Ophyra aenescens and Ophyra albuquerquei and the ocular triangle of the last two species and O. chalcogaster examined by scanning electron microscopy to help increase the anatomical database in flies for the forensic importance.…”

“…Microscopy appears as a special tool for such analyzes (Carriço et al, 2014). Carriço et al (2014) selected six species of Diptera from the Muscidae Family and described the katepisternals in the females of Morellia humeralis and Biopyrellia bipuncta; ommatidia of the eyes composed of B. bipuncta male; the female antennae of Ophyra aenescens and Ophyra albuquerquei and the ocular triangle of the last two species and O. chalcogaster examined by scanning electron microscopy to help increase the anatomical database in flies for the forensic importance. Samerjai et al (2016) also opted for scanning electron microscopy to observe the morphology of the immature stages of two species of meat flies Boettcherisca nathani and Lioproctia pattoni (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) ( Figure 2).…”

Morphology of Flesh Fly Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) Revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy

“…The Family Sarcophagidae along with the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Fanniidae and, Stratiomyidae are of great importance to public health and Forensic Entomology [1][2][3]. Most Sarcophagidae species is ovoviviparous, eliminating first in star larvae that immediately begin their feeding on the carcass, giving the Sarcophagidae one pioneering colonization of corpses, which highlights its forensic importance [4].…”